Reflection
Today in class we were asked to think about our writing process. For example, what is the structure you use to get towards that ever precious final draft? I guess if you asked me, I'd be the sequential reviser and doing it as I go. I reread and read again when I write just to make sure it makes sense to me, and spoken out loud as well on paper. I always do a final revision as well, but generally I revise as I go because all too often if the ideas are coming to fast I'll forget words or once in a while entire phrases.
I was thinking about how this might affect my own tutoring process? Hopefully, I could be someone open minded enough to let the writer do what they want to do and how they foresee their paper, while guiding along to make it even better than the person imagined.
As a writer, I'll be the first to admit I have many weaknesses, the first being grammar. Just one reason I didn't really feel overwhelmed to work in the Student Writing Center, but instead opted for the Community Writing Center where I would be able to work with writers on their fiction and poetry as opposed to academic papers or essays. But for every weakness, I feel that their also strengths, to build a good interesting story that will leave the reader on the edge of their seats that takes real talent. I can barely get through a history book or an autobiography (or non-fiction for that matter) without finding out that I've just discovered the cure for the insomnia. I just want to be that guy that can tell the story and tell it a little better than the next guy.
I was thinking about how this might affect my own tutoring process? Hopefully, I could be someone open minded enough to let the writer do what they want to do and how they foresee their paper, while guiding along to make it even better than the person imagined.
As a writer, I'll be the first to admit I have many weaknesses, the first being grammar. Just one reason I didn't really feel overwhelmed to work in the Student Writing Center, but instead opted for the Community Writing Center where I would be able to work with writers on their fiction and poetry as opposed to academic papers or essays. But for every weakness, I feel that their also strengths, to build a good interesting story that will leave the reader on the edge of their seats that takes real talent. I can barely get through a history book or an autobiography (or non-fiction for that matter) without finding out that I've just discovered the cure for the insomnia. I just want to be that guy that can tell the story and tell it a little better than the next guy.
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ReplyDeleteI completely relate to your comment concerning writing weaknesses. I think most of us fret over some aspect of our writing. I’m always working on bettering my grammar and punctuation—it’s the area in which I feel least confident. In fact, I asked Marybeth—one of our classmates—for her suggestions on resources specifically for grammar and punctuation. You might recall that she has had a job as an editor. I wish I had that job experience under my belt, but as they say, “It is what it is.” Some of us have skills in one area and some in other areas. I’d like to explore the idea of handouts that we can use and make available to our writers while mentoring. It would be a great way for us to have a guide to refer to and a resource for the writers to take with them that they can refer back to. It's possible that the writing center may already have these kinds of resources.
ReplyDeleteI’m a big fan of reading as a way to learn how to write. You mentioned that reading for you has been a cure for insomnia. I have had the exact opposite experience. I could give up sleep and read forever. Reading great writing has taught me how to write. Reading bad writing has taught me how not to write.
Kind of what that lady told us of her experience in Professional writing. I like where you're going with this as I certainly believe it would be a good tool for writers (such as we are...lol) to have access to, let me know what you find out. BTW the only reading that applied to was like biographies and such where they go through long and dull personal histories to make their point. I.E. I was born in Salt Lake City at 08:45:32 am the son of Steven, the grandson of Phillip... well I think you get my point!
DeleteI feel the same you do when it comes to forgetting words or even phrases. Sometimes I write and all of a sudden the whole thought it gone from my memory and it really frustrates me.So that's when I began just writing down everything that came to mind and it works out better for me that way.
ReplyDeletegood suggestion
DeleteI appreciate your post. You've perspective of the writing process is interesting. I'm curious as to if you notice any type of ethnic diversity in comparison between the Writing Center and Community Writing Center you tutor at? . You also expressed you wish to tell your story better than the next guy. I think that would make for an interesting discussion the male rhetoric of competition--wanting to do better than others. The same competition that breaks friendships and creates confrontation can also be the leading factor in innovation and creativity. Please continue to share more of your writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I notice a little bit of diversity but not ethnic really. Just more in the goals that are trying to reached. There is sense of competition to a degree (especially when it comes to Writing contests) but it is also about how to best help one another
DeleteTimothy, I really enjoyed your post. Your reflection on your writing process has led me to reflect on my own. I'm now seriously considering what it is I do before I write and what are my weaknesses. My weakness is that I think too much before I write. Rather than writing, I think and think and hardly get anything on paper. I am definitely one with many weaknesses and much work to do. Writing is a learning process and I think that as long as we, as writers, recognize this, there will be no limit to growth.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with you on that nobody knows everything there is to know about writing, even awesome will tell of how they learn something new on a daily basis. I see myself as writer and a work in progress
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